Raipur, March 25: Chhattisgarh is hosting the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) starting Wednesday. Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, has described KITG as an excellent platform to inspire tribal athletes.
Dilip Tirkey, a former Olympian, expressed his gratitude to the Chhattisgarh government for organizing the Khelo India Tribal Games for the first time. “These tribal athletes possess talent and now have a wonderful platform to showcase it. The Sports Authority of India’s selection committee will be here to identify the best players. I would also like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wishes to see more tribal children excel in sports. These children should participate in the 2036 Olympics. This is the vision behind organizing the Khelo India Tribal Games, which will instill confidence in tribal youth,” he stated.
He added, “Sports help improve our society. Often, our youth stray from the mainstream. Many children cannot continue their studies and lose their way, but sports provide an avenue for them to advance. Tribal athletes have also secured jobs under the sports quota. Sports have significantly aided tribal children in progressing.”
The Khelo India Tribal Games will see participation from 30 states and union territories across nine sports. Medals will be awarded in archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling. Traditional sports like Mallakhamb and Kabaddi will feature as exhibition events. Approximately 3,800 participants are expected, with the event concluding on April 3. The games will take place in three locations: Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Surguja.
Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Assam will have the largest representation at these games, with over 100 athletes from each state participating. The ratio of male to female athletes will be nearly equal.
A total of 106 gold medals will be awarded at the Khelo India Tribal Games, with athletics offering the highest number at 34. Swimming will have 24, wrestling 18, weightlifting 16, and archery 10 gold medals. Hockey and football, both team sports, will be played in Raipur, while athletics events will take place in Jagdalpur, and wrestling competitions will be held in Surguja.
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